Aaliyah Lewis’ career night guides fifth-seeded St. John’s past four seed Villanova
By Julia Pagliarulo
St. John's Quotes | Villanova Quotes
MILWAUKEE—All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention Aaliyah Lewis set a career-high with 27 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and four steals as St. John’s defeated Villanova 56-40 in the quarterfinal nightcap.
The Red Storm victory sets up a rematch from last year’s semifinal against top-seeded DePaul, a game St. John’s won en route to taking the BIG EAST Tournament title. The win also marks the first for St. John’s against Villanova this season as the Wildcats took both regular season matchups.
Akina Wellere was the other member of the Red Storm in double figures as she added 11. BIG EAST All Freshmen team honoree Alisha Kebbe racked up seven boards in the victory.
Co-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year Lewis also held All-BIG EAST Second Team player Adrianna Hahn to just three points. Mary Gedaka was the only Villanova player to hit double digits, notching ten points to go with her seven rebounds.
As a four-five matchup would indicate, both teams were closely matched to start the game and exchanged baskets in the first, notching five lead changes before St. John’s gained a bit of breathing room and took a six point lead into the second.
Villanova had a scoring drought of over four minutes but closed the half on an 8-2 run to draw even with St. John’s at 23. Lewis led all scorers with ten for the Red Storm and All-BIG EAST First Team honoree Jade Walker chipped in five. For the Wildcats, All-BIG EAST honorable mention Alex Louin put in five points and three of her teammates had four apiece.
Lewis’ 12 third quarter points and St. John’s stifling defense keyed a 13-0 run to take a commanding 15 point lead after three. The Red Storm continued with their second half momentum to close out the game, outscoring the Wildcats 33 to 17 over the last two quarters.
St. John’s will battle top seed and nationally ranked No. 18/17 DePaul tomorrow evening at 5:30 p.m. Central for the right to take on the winner of Creighton/Marquette in the final. The Blue Demons beat the Red Storm in each of the two previous games this year.